Improvement in machines for making loom-harness



5Sheets --Sheetl. J. SLADDIN.

Machines for Making Loom-Harness.

Patented March 3.1874.

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l. SLADDIN.

Machines for Making Loom-Harness. N0.148,252, PatentedMarch3.1874.

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I. SLADDIN. Machines for Making Loom-Harness. N0.148,252, PatentedMarch 3,1874.

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j. SLADD-iN. Machines for Making Loam-Harness. No.148,252. Patented March3!1874.

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UNITED "S'ra'rns AENT @FFIC.

JOSEPH SLADDIN, OF LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR MAKING LO-OM-HARNESS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 145,252, dated March 3, 1874; application filed November 28, 1:573.

To all whom it may concern:

Be-it known that I, JOSEPH SLADDIN, of Lawrence, Essex county, and State of Massachusetts, have invented Improvements in Machines for Making Loom-Harness, of which the following is a specification:

The present invention relates to improvements in machinery arranged for the manufacture of that class of loom-harness having its eyes or heddles made from continuous yarn, by using two continuous lengths of yarns, from one of which the heddle-eyes are made, with the other yarn looped at one end of each and every eye in turn, and both yarns secured to the rig-bands completing the harness. The invention particularly relates to that class of said machinery in which are employed a twoeyed stationary needle, a yarn-twister, a heddle-eye former, a pusher for pushing the heddle-eye from the heddle-eye former onto the stationary needle, and carriers for automatic ally carrying the heddle-yarns from the stationary needle to the rig-bandsor, in other words, the invention relates principally to improvements on the machine for making loom- 'harness described in the schedules annexed to the two reissue Letters Patent, Divisions A and B, dated August 8, 1871, numbered 4,509 and 4,510, issued to me. The invention consists, first, of the combination, substantially as hereinafter described, in one machine, of two or more two-eyed stationary needles for the heddle-yarns of a single set or pair of carriers for conveying in common the several heddle-yarns of each needle to a common pair or set of rig-bands, and of a suitable mechanism at each rig-band, for knitting or otherwise securing the heddle-yarns thereto; sec 0nd, of the combination, with two or more of the stationary needles aforesaid, of a supportin g and separating block for each pair thereof, which is arranged intermediately of and made secure against movement along their length, and is otherwise arranged and constructed to hold the needles from displacement or movement, and at the same time allowthe passage or feed of the finished harness along the needles third, of carriers for carrying the heddleyarns from the needles to the rig ba-nds, that are arranged one upon each side of the series of stationary needles, and are adapted each and both as to movement to take from their respective side of the needles the several heddle-yarns at that side, and to convey them simultaneously to a common rigband at the s corresponding side for being secured thereto by the knitting or other mechanism employed for that purpose; fourth, of mechanism for knitting the heddleyarns to their rig-band,

which is arranged with regard to the rig-band, for the knitting-needle to travel forward and backward across the rig-band, passing in each forward and backward movement alternately above and below the rig-band, and for the knittin g-needle in each forward movement to seize and hook the heddle-yarns, and in each backward movement to carry or pull them across the rig-band, above or below the same, as the case may be, and in each instance through the heddleyarn loop remaining on the needle-shank from the previous forward movement of the needle, and for the knitting-needle, as it draws the heddle-ya-rns through the loop which is on it, to drop such loop, as in ordinary knitting; fifth, of the combination, with the preceding clause of invention, of a device arranged and actuated to force the knittingneedle, after seizing or hooking the heddleyarns, into a position to insure the retention of the yarns on the needle as the needle travels backward, and thereby obviate any. possibility of their escape from the needle at such time. In addition to the above, the invention consists of many improvements in detail as to construction and arrangement of parts, which will appear from the description now to be given of the preceding clauses of invention.

In the accompanying plates 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of drawings, the present improvements in loomharness machines are illustrated.

In Plate 1, Figure 1 is a plan view of a loomharness machine of the class to which this invention relates, embracing substantially only those features thereof as are necessary for the proper illustration of the present invention. In plate 2, Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section in plane substantially of line 1 1, Fig. 1, Plate 1. In Plate 3, Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section in plane substantially of line 2 2, Fig. 1, Plate 1. In Plate 4, Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section in plane substantially of line 3 3, Fig. 1, Plate 1. In Plate 5, Figs. 5 and 6 are views in detail. Figs. 7, 8, 9,10,11, and 12 are views illustrating the carrying of the heddle-yarns from the needles to the rig-bands, and the knitting of them to the rig-bands. Figs. 13, 14, and 1.5 are views showing the knitting of the heddle-yarns to the rig-bands, to be hereinafter fully explained.

A in the drawings represents a frame-work,

made of any suitable construction, to receive the working and stationary parts of the machine, and, in the present instance, it is shown as consisting of a main frame, B, rectangular in shape, and a frame, C, extended from one end thereof; 1), the driving-shaft, arranged transversely of, and turning in bearings of, frame B. The driving shaft 1) is to be driven by belting or gear, or in any suitable manner, and through its revolution, by suitable intermediate gearing, the primary shafts E and F are driven with a continuous rotary movement. The shaft E operates the two twisters, the two knitting-needles, and the heddle-eye retainer. The shaft F operates the two heddleeye formers; a common or double pusher for pushing the heddle-eycs from the two heddle eye formers onto the two stationary needles, one heedleeye to each needle 5 and both shafts operate the carriers for carrying the heddle-yarns to the two rigbands. G G G G, four bobbins,arranged in pairs at each side of the central line of the machine. These bobbins contain the yarns of which to make the harness-heddles, and from them the yarns, after being passed through the tension devices described in Letters Patent issued to me, dated November 28, 1871, No.151,258, are run along the grooves (a of two stationary needles, H H, two yarns to each needle, as shown, and thence through eyes 0 of the needles to the rig-bands, one yarn from each needle to each rig-band, and to these rig-bands they are tied. The rig-bands are located substantially as described in the aforesaid Letters Patent, and, so far as is necessary for the understandin g of the present invention, it is sufticient to refer to them as running from posts I I of the feed cross-head or carriage J to and over pulleys K K of posts L L. The yarnneedles H H are arranged in parallel horizontal planes, one above another, with a space, M, between, as shown, and in this posit-ion they are fastened at one end to a post, 1, by setscrews d (l and near their ends, at which they receive the heddle-eyes, is located a separating-block, N. This block N rests upon the upper face of the lower needle .and against the lower face of the upper needle, and embraces the sides or edges of the needles, as shown; and in this position it is secured against movement along the needles by the rod 0, which extends between the needles H along their length to the post I, to which it is fastened by a set-screw, (I. Q Q, the two yarn-twisters. These yarn-twisters are attached to distinct horizontal shafts R, and they are located at one side of, and at right angles to,the stationary needles. Each shaft It has a pinion-wheel, S, and both pinions S are driven from a con1- mon gear wheel, T, which receives its motion from the primary shaft E, herein referred to, by mechanism similar to that described in the reissue Letters Patent for driving the yarntwister thereof, and each twister has a reciprocating rotary movement, both occurring at the same time. U, a shaft arranged vertt cally a short distance from the receiving ends of the yarn-needles H. This shaft U carries two heddle-eye formers, g 9, one above the other, and in horizontal positions corresponding to the needles H H, and the movement of the shaft Uis reciprocating rotary, as with the heddle-former shaft in the said reissue Letters Patent. The means for communicating this movement consists of the pinion-wheel V and the rack-bar W engaging each other. The rack-bar V is moved in the one direction by acam, X, of the primary shaft F, to which cam it is connected by a lever-rod, Y, turning on a fulcrum, h, of the frame B, and it is moved in the other direction by the reaction of a spiral spring 2. The heddle-eye formers g 9 project horizontally from the shaft U, and they are fork-shaped, the forked ends Z bridging the pointed ends of the needles H, so that, under the action of the heddle-eye pusher, the heddle-eyes will certainly pass from the formers onto their proper needle H, while, at the same time, the formers g g, in their swingin move ment, can pass freely by the needles H. A the heddle-eye pusher. This pusher A consists of a vertical bar, B placed at one end of a horizontal bar, C, which is arranged to slide forward and backward through the shaft U having theformers g g, which shaft U, for such purpose, is slotted vertically, as shown. The forward movement of the pusher A is secured by the cam D of the primary shaft F, to which it is connected by a lever-rod, E turning on a fulcrum, m, of the frame B, and its backward movement is secured by the reaction of the spiral spring W. G G, two vertical levers. These levers G2 G are the heddle-yarn carriers, and they are located one at each side of the needles H, and at their lower ends they are hung to fulcr-ums a of the cross-bar H of a vertical rod, 1 The rod 1 is arranged to be moved vertically within the frame B, being guided by guide-pieces J J Each carrier-lever G at the upper end is hook-shaped, and between the two ends it is connected by a slotted rod, K to the crank arm L of a horizontal shaft, M that is driven continuously by bevelgearing N from the primary shaft- F. Each rod K is pivoted to its lever-carrier G and hung by the slot 0 on its crank-arm L The carriers G2 G2 first pass upward in a direct and straight vertical line through the recesses 0 at the edges of the needles; then outward to the rig-bands, which are located as described, and then back into position to be lifted as before. The upward movement of the carriers is caused by the cam S of the primary shaft E, which cam acts on the common carryingrod 1 of the two carriers G through the arm 0', and their outward and inward movements are caused by the action of their connection with the shafts M \Vhile the carriers are lifted, as above stated, their connection with shafts M rests or dwells so that the movement upward shall be directly through the recesses 0 of the two needles, and this dwell or rest of the said connection results from the slotted construction of the pitmcn-rods K. The lifting-cam S for the carriers is of suii7- able form to lift the carriers the proper distance, and also to allow them to lower into position for being again lifted, while their outward and in ward movements are occurring as stated. 1) 1;, adjustable pins, one to each carrier G These pins 1) limit the said backward move ment of the carriers by abutting against the part B of the rod 1 s, a forked heddle-eye retainer. This retainer 8 is carried by the rod 1 which carries the yarn-carriers G and it projects upward, so that in the upward move ment of the red I it will embrace both yarnneedles at each side, and thus retain or hold the heddle-eyes against derangement under the operation of the yarn-carriers. T T, the two knitting mechanisms. These mechanisms are located one at and outside each rig-band, and each mechanism is composed of parts, as follows: t, a latchknittingneedle. This needie if is fastened to the arm c by a set-screw, a, and this arm is pivoted to a plate or slide, U which is arranged to slide horizontally on a vertical guide-frame, V The arrangement of the slide U is such that it can be moved toward and away from the rig-bands, and this motion it receives from the action on its slotted arm W of the eccentric vertical pin V of the disk ll on the shaft X which is continuously rotated from the primary shaft E through bevel-gearing Y The knitting-needle projects downward over the rig-bands, and in the movement of the slide U it plays through the forked upward end of a standard, Z This standard Z is located just outside of the rigband, and it is connected to a cam, A of the primary shaft E, through plate B so as to be raised and lowered as such cam revolves. The needle never escapes from its slotted standard,

and therefore it is always subject to its said rising and lowering movement. 0 0 two fixed posts, through eyes 20 of which the rigbands pass, one to each post. The posts 0 hold the rig-bands firm against the action of the knitting-needles, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the formation of a heddle-eye, and its disposition on a stationary needle, the within-described machine operates precisely the same as the machine embraced in the said reissued Letters Patent, except that the result is doubled-that is, two heddle-eyes are formed and deposited on two stationary needles, one to each needle, in lieu of one heddleeye on one stationary needle, as before. After this deposit of the heddle-eyes on the needles, the heddle-yarns are drawn out to the rig-bands by the yarn-carriers G and there they are seized by the hook of each knitting-needle, and then knit and secured to the rig-bands under an operationof the knittingneedles, to be hereinafter described.

In drawing out the heddle-yarns from the yari'i-needlcs to the rig-bands, the yarns leadin g from the same side of the two yarn-needles are carried in common by the yarn-carrier. there located, which first is moved directly upward by the same side of, the two needles, between the needles and the yarns lying along the side of the needles, and extending from the needle-eyes to the'heddle-eyes last deposited on the needles, and then outward toward the rig-band, drawing with it the heddle-yarn of each needle to the rig-bands. As the two heddle yarns are thus drawn out to the rigband theycome to a common position on the yarn-carrier-that is, in its hook(see Fig. v7, Plate 5,) and this is caused by the incline face or edge y of the carrier, up and along which the yarns ride or pass into the hook, as stated.

The knittingmechanism operates as follows: Before the carriers leave the heddle-yarns at their respective rig-bands, as before stated, the knitting-needle ofeach mechanism seizes them in its hook, and under its movement then draws them across and to the rear side of the rig-band, passing, for instance, at this time under the rig-band. (See Figs. 9 andlO, Plate 5.) The slotted standard now rises, lifting with it the knitting-needle, which then travels across and to the front side of the rigband, passing above the rig-band. (See Fig. 11.) I11 this last travel of the knitting-needle, the two loops of heddle-yarns, previously taken by the needle-hook across the rig-band, are left at the rear side of the rig-band and upon the needle-shank. (See Fig. 11.) The needlehook now seizes the heddle-yarns at the front side of the rig-band, (see Fig. 11,) and again draws said yarns across and above the rigband to the rear side thereof, drawing the two loops through the two loops already on the needle shank, as before stated. In its backward movement, above described, the latchof the needle is closed, as in ordinary knit ting, which allows the yarn loop on its shank, as stated, to escape from the needle. "he slotted standard now lowers, carrying with it the knitting-needle, which then travels across and beneath the front side of the rigband. In this travel of the knitting-nee die, the loops of heddle-yarns last taken by the needle-hook across the rig-band are left at the rear side of the rig-band upon the needle-shank. The needle-hook now seizes the heddle-yarns which lead from the heddle-eye next deposited upon the yarn-needles during the previouslydescribed operation, and which have been carried to the rig-band by another movement of the yarn-carriers, and so on, as the heddle-yarns are drawn from time to time to the rig-bands. This interlacing of the heddle-yarns with each other, together with the alternate travel of the loops over and under the rig bands, secures the heddle-yarns to the rig-bands. The interlacement of the heddleyarns is at the rear side of the rig-bands, (see Figs. 13 and 15, Plate 5,) and the front side of the rig-band is encircled by the heddle-yarns (see Fig. 14, Plate 5) only upon the backward movement of the knitting-needle over the rigband, and not upon the movement of the knitting-needle under the rig-band.

Fig. 14, Plate 5, shows the front'or inner side, and Fig. 13, same plate, the back side, of

the rig-band as the heddle-yarns are knit to it, except the knitting is loosened to more fully show the running and interlacing of the heddle-yarns, and that, in lieu of two heddleyarns, only one is shown, as the stitch with one heddle-yarn is the same as with two, and to avoid confusion of lines it was deemed preferable to show it with one heddle-yarn.

To insure the retention of the heddle-yarn loops on the knitting'needle, as they travel backward with the heddle-yarn loops, I have provided a pusherlever, A. This lever is operated by a pin, a, of the disk V which drives the knitting-needle, and this lever has a camface, b against which, in the revolution of the disk WW, the said pin. a abuts, and thus the post 0 of the lever is forced against the needle, springing the needle sufficiently to place its hook so that it will certainly retain the yarnloops thereon, as the needle commences to pass backward across the rig-bands.

The guide-posts C for the rig-bands hold the rigbands firm against any pull on them by the heddleyarn loops, in whatever direction, from the. operation of the needle, the strain may come, whether in an upward or downward, or backward or forward, direction, and thus the rig-bands are secured against any displacement or derangement as to their position at the plane of knitting-obviously, for a successful operation of the knitting-needle, a very important feature. The stationary yarn-heddles II are both slotted as at f, to al low the pusher-bar to pass into them to carry the heddle-eyes from the formers to the needles.

The knitting devices herein described may be dispensed with, and the means of securing the heddle-yarns to the rigbands described in the reissued Letters Patent aforesaid may be employed instead. Also, in lieu of raising and lowering the knitting-needles, as described,

the rig-bands may be raised and lowered in-.

stead; but it is preferable to raise and lower the needles.

The stationary needles, with their accompanying parts, twisters, heddle-eye formers, and pushers, may be increased beyond two, and secure, with the remaining features of the machine, a formation of a harness; but two are sutficient for all practical purposes of harnessmaking.

The direct upward movement of the heddleyarn carriers at the sides of the needles is very essential; as, otherwise, if the carriers had then an outward movement from the needle, they would fail to take the hcddle-yarns from the series of needles.

' he manner of supporting the two station ary needles herein described not only secures them in proper place, but freely allows of the passage of the finished harness along the needles, and obviously, under an arrangement of two stationary needles, as herein described, only one leese-rod is necessary, as the two needles secure the leese on one side of the harness.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is-

1. The combination, with two or more stationary needles, of the single set or pair of yarn-carriers, operated substantially as described, to carry the yarn from the two or more needles to the rig-bands.

2. The combination, with two or more stationary needles, of a separating or supporting block, N, which i s applied between each pair of the needles, substantially as and for the pmpose described.

3. The heddle-yarn carrier G arranged to operate substantially as described, so as to move directly upward by the side of the several needles, and to move toward and away from the rig-bands, to carry the yarns from the stationary needles to the rig-bands, sub stantially as described, for the purpose specified.

4. The heddle-yarn carriers G arranged to operate substantially as described, so as to move directly upward by the side of the several needles, and constructed with the incline face y, so as to bring the several yarns carried by them to the common point specified, as the carriers move toward the rig-bands, substantially as described.

5. Knitting-needles, arranged and operated substantially as described, so as to move across the rig-bands, and to pass above and below the same, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. The pusher c, or its equivalent, combined with and pushing against the knittingneedles, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

7. The guide'post C in combination with knitting mechanism, all arranged and operating substantially as described.

8. The standards Z combined with, and operating to raise and lower, the knitting-necdles, substantially as described.

9. The knitting-needles 1?, frame U and slotted arm W, in combination with the revolving disk and its pin, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

10. The combination, with the yarircarriers G of the cranks L slotted connections K, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

11. The fork-shaped heddle-eye former g, in combination with the yarncarryin g needle H, whereby the space between the former g and the needle H is bridged for the passage of the heddle-eye from the former to the needle, and in the movement of the former to clear the needle, substantially as described.

12. The forked retainer 8, arranged and operated as described, for the purpose specified.

The above specification of my improvements in machines for making loom-harness signed by me this 15th day of October, A. I). 1873.

JOSEPH SLADDIN.

Witnesses J. l. McELRoY, ALBERT W. BROWN. 

